59:1(To the chief Musician, Altaschith, a Michtam of David;
when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him.)b Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from
them that rise up against me.
(a) Or, a certain tune.
(b) Though his enemies were even at hand to destroy him,
yet he assures himself that God had ways to deliver
him.
59:3 For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are
gathered against me; not [for] my c transgression, nor
[for] my sin, O LORD.
(c) For I am innocent toward them, and have not offended
them.
59:5 Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel,
awake to visit all the heathen: be not d merciful to any
wicked transgressors. Selah.
(d) Seeing it belongs to God's judgments to punish the
wicked, he desires God to execute his vengeance on the
reprobate, who maliciously persecutes his Church.
59:6 They return at evening: they make a noise like a e dog,
and go round about the city.
(e) He compares their cruelty to hungry dogs showing that
they are never weary in doing evil.
59:7 Behold, they f belch out with their mouth: swords [are]
in their lips: for who, [say they], doth hear?
(f) They boast openly in their wicked devises, and every
word is as a sword: for they neither fear God nor are
ashamed of men.
59:9g [Because of] his strength will I wait upon thee: for
God [is] my defence.
(g) Though Saul has great power, yet I know that you bridle
him: therefore I will patiently hope in you.
59:10 The God of my mercy shall h prevent me: God shall let me
see [my desire] upon mine enemies.
(h) He will not fail to help me when need requires.
59:11 Slay them i not, lest my people forget: scatter them by
thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield.
(i) Altogether, but little by little, that the people
seeing your judgments often, may be mindful of you.
59:12 [For] the sin of their mouth [and] the words of their lips
let them even be k taken in their pride: and for cursing
and lying [which] they speak.
(k) That in their misery and shame they may be as glasses
and examples of God's vengeance.
59:13l Consume [them] in wrath, consume [them], that they
[may] not [be]: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob
unto the ends of the earth. Selah.
(l) When your time will come, and when they have
sufficiently served for an example of your vengeance
to others.
59:14 And at evening let them m return; [and] let them make a
noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
(m) He mocks their vain enterprises, being assured that
they will not bring their purpose to pass.
59:16 But I will sing of thy n power; yea, I will sing aloud
of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence
and refuge in the day of my trouble.
(n) Who used the policy of a weak woman to confound the
enemies strength, (1Sa 19:12).
59:17 Unto thee, O my o strength, will I sing: for God [is] my
defence, [and] the God of my mercy.
(o) Confessing himself to be void of all virtue and
strength, he attributes the whole to God.
